Govind Tekale
A passenger’s [licensed firearm](https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/08/16/india039s-varanasi-airport-security-scare-passengers-licensed-pistol-accidentally-fires-two-officials-injured) discharged during routine security screening at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi on Sunday morning, injuring two airport security personnel. The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. as staff conducted standard inspection of the declared weapon.
The passenger, Kamlesh Kedarnath Rai from Azamgarh, was preparing to board Air India Express flight IX-1810 to Mumbai when the discharge occurred. Rai had properly declared a [7.62mm pistol](https://www.thestar.com.my/aseanplus/aseanplus-news/2026/08/16/india039s-varanasi-airport-security-scare-passengers-licensed-pistol-accidentally-fires-two-officials-injured) with 21 live cartridges during check-in, following established civil aviation protocol for licensed weapon transport through airports.
During the security inspection process at the checkpoint, the pistol accidentally discharged. The bullet struck the ground first before [ricocheting and striking](https://www.outlookindia.com/national/air-india-express-passenger-fires-gun-during-weapons-check-injuring-2-screeners-at-varanasi-airport) two AAICLAS screeners—Suman Kumari and Rohit Raj—who were managing the inspection. Kumari sustained a leg injury while Raj was struck in the hand. Both personnel were immediately transported to New Laxmi Trauma Centre, where they remained in stable condition.
[AAICLAS](https://www.india.gov.in/), formally known as AAI Cargo Logistics and Allied Services Company Limited, manages cargo and security services across the Indian airports operated under the Airports Authority of India. The company’s screeners conduct baggage and passenger inspections at multiple facilities nationwide.
The [Bureau of Civil Aviation Security](https://www.civilaviation.gov.in/) (BCAS), under India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, launched an immediate investigation. Authorities detained Rai as officials examined the weapon handling protocols at the checkpoint. Airport Director Puneet Gupta coordinated the response as police from the Gomti Zone DCP office and Pindra ACP office arrived on scene.
Airport operations continued without disruption. Flights proceeded on schedule as investigators gathered evidence. The incident involved no additional passengers beyond the firearm’s owner.
Under India’s civil aviation security regulations, declared firearms must remain unloaded and properly secured during transport through airport terminals. After ricocheting off hard surfaces, the projectile retained sufficient energy to strike two people, illustrating the inherent risks of firearm inspection in enclosed terminal spaces.
The incident—a discharged 7.62mm pistol during security inspection at Varanasi airport on [August 16](https://www.aninews.in/news/national/general-news/gunfire-at-varanasi-airport-2-security-personnel-hospitalised-after-passengers-firearm-discharge-during-mandatory-check20260816121536/)—injured two AAICLAS screeners who were treated at New Laxmi Trauma Centre in stable condition. Airport operations continued without disruption, as [civil aviation security protocols](https://www.karmactive.com/indias-first-pod-taxi-system-to-connect-jewar-airport-and-noida-film-city-next-chapter-in-urban-mobility/) require declared firearms to remain secured during transport through terminals.
